The belt rankings seem to be based on doing certain tricks rather than fighting ability. If even little kids can learn to break boards, then it certainly isn't about fighting ability. Some people make it sound like a six year old with a white belt could take on the best street fighter. By traditional standards, you'd actually have to be a first degree black belt just to be considered a novice. Karate is not some kind of magical skill that makes you invincible, as seen on tv.
2006-09-08 07:06:23 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
That's a western version of the karate..In the east - it's a way of life and mental state as much as physical. That's what Bruce Lee was trying to teach westerners.
2006-09-08 07:08:55 · answer #1 · answered by Michael R 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're most likely not even learning Karate. It is a type of martial art that has taken from all the others and adopted everything in one style. So, yeah. Karate is not useless. They're just not teaching you what truly is Karate. If you want to truly learn something useful (and brutal) try kick boxing.
2016-03-17 10:42:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not overrated. Many poor practitioners make it look bad. Belt ranking isn't traditionally a karate practice. (Borrowed from Judo, a grappling sport.) The only 'test' of one's achievement comes when you need to fend for your life or to actively take another life. All too many people 'study' karate for the wrong reasons and not nearly enough effort. All the watered down versions in part-time dojos and competitions cannot live up to the deadly reputation of karate and tarnish the image of karate's actual utility. What's more, most martial arts are suffering from similar woes. We ought to give these new 'karate' 'kungfu' 'tkd' practices new names to differentiate them from proper fighting arts. For example, Olympic TKD would become Riverdance-Contact Edition, Wushu competitions with all those shiny shiny flimsy swords would be integrated with Rhythmic Gymnastics, etc.
2006-09-08 08:04:47 · answer #3 · answered by PSE 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Karate is not overrated at all.
It is a very valid martial art.
I study in a traditional manner in America.
I believe the perception of karate being crappy comes from lazy Americanized McDojo's that will promote anyone to make a buck.
Karate will not be invalid until the day that blocking, pinching, striking, kicking and grappling are invalid as forms of self-defense.
Styles themselves have too much emphasis on them. The quality and frequency of your training are more important than the actual style. America is so ADHD. We always want things to new and shiny. We want our ice cream to come in 300 flavors. We wan the microwave to cook out meal in less than 30 seconds. Karate has been around for a long time and it is now thought to be boring by Americans. I mean what American wants to tell people "I study karate" when they could say something far more sexy like "I study Tae Kwon Do/ Ninjitsu/ Krav-Fu hybrid style", you see what I mean?
Yes, black belts are at a new beginning in their path. This is tough for lazy Americas to grasp. They want to get a piece of paper that says "I am now invincible, as seen on TV".
As an art in its pure unAmericanized form, karate is a very formidable self-defense style.
Don't hate karate because you ain't karate-ka.
2006-09-09 02:10:46 · answer #4 · answered by spidertiger440 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Very true, but it isn't about the actual physical side of things. I didn't take Karate long, but I learned soon that it was about the training of the mind and body, not the ability to break a board. Sure, a six year old couldn't take on the best street fighter, but earning the next belt up is a sign that you are being trained to work with your body and that your control over it is greatening.
2006-09-08 07:09:28 · answer #5 · answered by Strives to be Something 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think any sparring intensive program will make you a better fighter. I currently have a green belt in Karate. Some of the white belts kick the hell out of me (kick boxers most of em). I can take some black belts (I'm faster and stronger).
Our school is fairly traditional. Achieving your first dan (first black belt) is a very big deal. A black belt is hardly considered a novice. However, in our view, we are all novices in the greater prusuit of mastering Karate.
2006-09-08 07:16:09 · answer #6 · answered by Akfek_Branford 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, it definitly depends on each individual school and teacher. When ?i took karate (which hopefully i will be again soon) emphasis was more on practical self defense then breaking boards. I mean, we did all of the "flashy tricks" but it was for fun, and never was it on a test. In the words of Bruce Lee "Boards don't hit back"
2006-09-08 20:13:43 · answer #7 · answered by ffemt1280 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Completely depends on the school, the teacher, and the student. But a lot of 'martial arts' schools in the US are really more geared to fitness, than self defense.
2006-09-08 07:08:16 · answer #8 · answered by Rjmail 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
trust me, you do gain strength on your kicks and punches, striking in general if youre taking karate. but if course the results needs time to show.
sure what you say is right, but im very sure karate induces strength to the strikes. my brother is a black belt in karate, and im a brown in BJJ. we're both competing in local MMA competitions. my brother's opponents usually get KO'd after one punch/kick to the head/face. i doubt he could ever do that before he took up karate.
2006-09-08 07:13:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Karate is a non contact sport, it is all about mind and body control.
2006-09-08 07:08:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋